Description
H. Laurens, Librairie Renouard, Paris [Published date: circa 1899]. Stiff card stock covers, oblong octavo (approx. 22 x 15 cm); complete with 16 chromolithograph plates, single sided. In original color-illustrated paper wrappers. Text in French (covers only).
Condition & notes
In good condition. Covers with light edgewear, bumping and some chipping and tearing to spine; light overall soiling and age toning. Binding tight. Plates clean and bright overall. The first plate shows some discoloration to the bottom corner margin tip only, not affecting the image. Otherwise only minor foxing at a few edges. Rear wrapper includes publishers advertisements for the periodical "Le Modele" (issues 1894-1899) and for decorative plate books by Habert-Dys, dating this issue to circa 1899. NOT Ex-Library. One volume only, devoted to fifteenth-century manuscript ornamentation, from the series Ornementation des manuscrits au Moyen Age. Chromolithographed plates drawn by Ernest Guillot present ornamental initials, borders, floral motifs, and decorative fragments from manuscripts of the XV Siecle. Scarce. Guillot (fl. late 19th c.) was a French lithographer known for detailed chromolithographic reproductions of manuscript ornament, botanical subjects, and decorative motifs. His Ornementation des manuscrits series was issued in separate parts by century (XIII - XIV centuries), and continues to attract collectors of medieval illumination, calligraphy, and the decorative arts. Publishers Note: The imprint "Librairie Renouard" refers to the Paris bookshop and publishing house directed by Henri Laurens (1832-1908). Under Laurens, Librairie Renouard specialized in finely illustrated works on art, archaeology, and decorative design, including chromolithographed series such as Guillots Ornementation des manuscrits au Moyen Age.